Blank Theater Chooses Winners Of 18th Annual Nationwide Young Playwrights Fest

The Blank Theatre Company's 18th Annual Nationwide Young Playwrights Festival has chosen twelve winning plays by teenaged playwrights, aged 14 -19 from six different states. The winning plays will be presented by professional actors and directors in the month-long Festival at The Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood beginning June 3, 2010.

"Ever since I acted in the first Young Playwrights Festival, I have always had a special place in my heart for these extremely talented teenagers, " says Blank Artistic Producer Noah Wyle. "The issues tackled, and the depth of emotion and understanding these kids have is remarkable. I wish I knew as much as they do when I was their age!"

And the winners are: THE ENDS OF THE EARTH by Kate Herzlin, Rockville Centre, NY Age 17; A SIMPLE PROOF by Benjamin Sprung-Keyser, Los Angeles, CA Age 17; ALLAN CHANG IS A TOTALLY BOGUS GHOST by Aliza Goldstein, Jacksonville, FL Age 18; RUDE AWAKENING by Marissa Bohrer, Buffalo Grove, IL Age 17; OLIVER & HANNAH by Michael Trottier, Goffstown, NH Age 19; MOMMY by Emma Steinkellner, Santa Barbara, CA Age 15; SOPHISTICATED BROADWAY by Danny Barry, Buffalo Grove, IL Age 17; MAY by May Treuhaft-Ali, New York, NY Age 14; HUNTER IN THE SNOW by Ava Kofman, Los Angeles, CA Age 17; DISTANCE by Erik Mattos, Mill Valley, CA Age 17; A SNAPSHOT OF MY FAMILY by Elyse Pitock, Villanova, PA Age 17; and SEXUAL HARASSMENT FROM A BANANA by Chase Yenser, Whitehall, PA Age 18.

Winning plays were chosen by a panel of theatre professionals from plays submitted by teenagers from across the nation. Winning playwrights are next assigned a mentor and then a professional director who will help them hone their scripts for four public performances with professional Hollywood actors. In the past seventeen years, The Blank has produced 196 plays by teenaged playwrights. Eleven of those plays or playwrights have gone on to be presented on The Blank's Mainstage including SPEECH & DEBATE by Stephen Karam, a three-time winner in The Blank's YPF. Additionally, many of the plays have been nominated for LA theatre awards including: an Ovation Award for "Best Writing-World Premiere", LA Weekly Award "Best One Act Playwrighting".

"Alumni" playwrights are populating the nation's theatres and soundstages with their work. Many of our winners have gone on to successful writing careers creating TV shows, filling regional stages, teaching writing to others, and founding regional Young Playwrights Festivals. This year, 21-year-old Adam Cochran (a two-time winner in YPF) was nominated for a Drama Desk Award in NYC for "Outstanding Music in a Play".

This year's Fest is made possible by The Harold & Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, The Plum Foundation, The Rosenthal Charitable Trust, Los Angeles LA County Arts Commission, & City of LA Department of Cultural Affairs.

The Blank Theatre Company's 18th Annual Nationwide Young Playwrights Festival plays Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm, June 3 through June 27, 2010 at The Stella Adler Theatre, 6773 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood 90028. Program includes 3 plays each week. Tickets are $15. Festival Passes-1 ticket each week- are $50. Both may be purchased in advance by calling (323) 661-9827or at The Blank.com.

About The Blank Theatre Company:
Based in Hollywood, The Blank's productions have garnered rave reviews, audience acclaim, and numerous theatrical honors. Over the years, The Blank has been nominated for 23 Ovation Awards and won 5 including "Best Musical," 15 LA Drama Critics Circle Awards and won 13 including "Outstanding Production," 24 LA Weekly Awards winning 7 including "Musical of the Year," 12 NAACP Theatre Awards winning 4 including "Best Production" and won 17 Back Stage West Garland Awards. The Blank was awarded the Hollywood Arts Council's coveted Charlie Award for "pursuing artistic excellence, nurturing the next generation of playwrights, and challenging itself with a grand vision." The Drama League calls The Blank one of the "Best Regional Theatres in America."

The Blank Theatre Company's 18th Annual Nationwide Young Playwrights Festival - Schedule

WEEK ONE June 3 - June 6

THE ENDS OF THE EARTH by Kate Herzlin Rockville Centre, NY Age 17
Most parents SAY they'd go to the ends of the earth for their kids, but how many would actually be up for the journey? Devoted parents will embark on a difficult and challenging expedition in order to prove their love to their skeptical children.

A SIMPLE PROOF by Benjamin Sprung-Keyser Los Angeles, CA Age 17
The students of the high school debate team argue the finer points of God's existence and find some revelations in the unlikeliest of places. How would you prove God exists?

ALLAN CHANG IS A TOTALLY BOGUS GHOST by Aliza Goldstein Jacksonville, FL Age 18
In a split second, everything changed for best friends Allan, Luce, and Finn. Now, they grapple with unresolved questions that cut to the deepest matters of the heart. Can these three friends work past tragedy to create peace between them, once and for all?

WEEK TWO June 10 - 13

RUDE AWAKENING by Marissa Bohrer Buffalo Grove, IL Age 17
When an angel appears at his bedside and warns him he's going to hell if he doesn't change his ways, Jeremy's got only a few short hours to redeem himself- can he make things right with the world before his number is up?

OLIVER & HANNAH by Michael Trottier Goffstown, NH Age 19
A therapist carefully untangles the psyche of his complicated patient. As that world is delicately examined, shocking events are revealed.

MOMMY by Emma Steinkellner Santa Barbara, CA Age 15
As if being a pregnant teenager isn't trouble enough, how does Julie explain to the other kids that she's still a virgin? And what will the rest of the world do when they find out about her Immaculate Conception? Saint Julie?

WEEK THREE June 17 - 20

SOPHISTICATED BROADWAY by Danny Barry Buffalo Grove, IL Age 17
Musical theatre - ya either love it or you hate it! Annabel definitely HATES it and she delves into just why there are so many toe-tapping, Fosse-fingered lovers of Broadway out there...but does the lady protest too much?

MAY by May Treuhaft-Ali New York, NY Age 14
When the Breeze falls in love with a young girl, he must try everything he can to convince her their romance is worth pursuing. However, she has already fallen for a human boy...is there any way the Breeze can win?

HUNTER IN THE SNOW by Ava Kofman Los Angeles, CA Age 17
Larry is living the American Dream with a solid job, wife, and daughter. However, Larry is lonely and seeks connection both to himself and to others. Will a good dose of self reflection help him create the closeness he seems to have lost?

WEEK FOUR June 24 - 27

DISTANCE by Erik Mattos Mill Valley, CA Age 17
Grief can lead the brain down confusing pathways. As Nora mourns the tragic death of her beloved pet dog, we learn that there is something far more distressing plaguing her family.

A SNAPSHOT OF MY FAMILY by Elyse Pitock Villanova, PA Age 17
With a brother who has Asperger's Syndrome, Jocelyn is constantly torn between feeling embarrassed by his behavior and wanting to fiercely protect him. But, as in most families, it's the differences that are the glue that holds this complex family together.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT FROM A BANANA by Chase Yenser Whitehall, PA Age 18
It's a news flash that sweeps the nation. Are you safe in your own home? Terror reigns when rogue bananas roam the streets and finally get to have their dreams come true...and everyone should be on full yellow alert.

For further information: TheBlank.com or 323/661-9827

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